'Bear man' the latest entity to scare Indians

[Faisal_Aslam]

http://asia.cnn.com/2001/WORLD/asiap...ear/index.html

GUWAHATI, India -- Hot on the heels of 'monkey man', India is now being terrorized by an animal resembling a bear.

The mysterious entity has spread terror in India's remote northeastern state of Assam, wounding more than 20 people over the past few days, police said Saturday.

Panic-stricken villagers have performed rituals to banish the "evil spirit" and some have formed vigilante groups.

A local police officer said the animal had spread panic, forcing villagers to keep vigil through the nights. Patrolling had been stepped up, he added.

"More than 20 people have been injured in attacks by the strange creature in Nathkuchi and Tihu areas of Nalbari district in Assam," he told Reuters news agency.

The area is about 70 km (43 miles) west of Assam's largest city, Guwahati.

The incident follows close behind the panic triggered in the capital, New Delhi, by a mysterious "monkey man", which police now believe to have been imaginary.

Villagers in Assam told police the animal could penetrate closed doors and appeared only at night.

"They reported that the animal created a loud noise when it attacked and disappeared whenever there was some light," the officer said.